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puma1552 · 6 May 2025, 04:34 AM

Thanks. It's also interesting how the box/papers vary a bit between a Japan vs. US purchase.

Different:

1) Wako did not let me keep tags/stickers/plastic (I asked, she said they are required to keep them), US didn't care.
2) Warranty info booklet in Japan has multiple pages in multiple languages, US booklet looks the same on the outside but is just a single page in English when you open it.
3) Japan gave me an instruction manual, US did not (US GS site says after 4/1/23, they are gradually removing paper versions so this is normal).
4) Japan did not let me keep the little blue/white mesh pouch for the watch, US did.
5) Japan did not give me anything for the GS9 club, US gave me a business card with a QR code to join.
6) Japanese warranty card has a little more Japanese on it than English ("Reference Number", "Warranty Number", etc.).
7) Possibly unique to Wako, but I got a formal Grand Seiko Maintenance Support card valued at 25,000 yen in Japan; it is fully GS branded/official with all the GS logos and whatnot, but may be unique to Wako since GS owns Wako, or may be included at any boutique; not sure you'd get this buying at a department store AD in Japan.

Same:

1) Exterior box, watch roll/paper, black microfiber cloth
2) Being manual winders, both came with the same movement certification in both languages and the explanatory notes in both languages.
3) Neither let me keep the outer white box sleeve

Also I know GS gives you a six year warranty if you buy at a boutique or online in the US, but I can't find confirmation if the six year warranty applies for Japan boutiques; it it does, that's technically another difference since my US AD is not a boutique so I have the standard five year warranty for the new watch.

6 May 2025, 04:34 AM	#4
puma1552 "TRF" Member Join Date: Jun 2023 Location: USA Posts: 786	Thanks. It's also interesting how the box/papers vary a bit between a Japan vs. US purchase. Different: 1) Wako did not let me keep tags/stickers/plastic (I asked, she said they are required to keep them), US didn't care. 2) Warranty info booklet in Japan has multiple pages in multiple languages, US booklet looks the same on the outside but is just a single page in English when you open it. 3) Japan gave me an instruction manual, US did not (US GS site says after 4/1/23, they are gradually removing paper versions so this is normal). 4) Japan did not let me keep the little blue/white mesh pouch for the watch, US did. 5) Japan did not give me anything for the GS9 club, US gave me a business card with a QR code to join. 6) Japanese warranty card has a little more Japanese on it than English ("Reference Number", "Warranty Number", etc.). 7) Possibly unique to Wako, but I got a formal Grand Seiko Maintenance Support card valued at 25,000 yen in Japan; it is fully GS branded/official with all the GS logos and whatnot, but may be unique to Wako since GS owns Wako, or may be included at any boutique; not sure you'd get this buying at a department store AD in Japan. Same: 1) Exterior box, watch roll/paper, black microfiber cloth 2) Being manual winders, both came with the same movement certification in both languages and the explanatory notes in both languages. 3) Neither let me keep the outer white box sleeve Also I know GS gives you a six year warranty if you buy at a boutique or online in the US, but I can't find confirmation if the six year warranty applies for Japan boutiques; it it does, that's technically another difference since my US AD is not a boutique so I have the standard five year warranty for the new watch.